Kim Jones to succeed Karl Lagerfeld as creative director at Fendi

The new role puts Jones at the helm of two major labels

(AFP via Getty Images)

Kim Jones has joined Fendi as its creative director for women’s ready-to-wear and couture collections.

The designer remains head of design at Dior Men, which is also owned by LVMH. It means Jones is one of the only designers who is currently at the helm of two household-name brands.

“Working across two such prestigious houses is a true honour as a designer and to be able to join the house of @FENDI as well as continuing my work at @Dior Men’s is a huge privilege”, the 46-year-old wrote to announce his new role on Instagram.

The position will see Jones work closely with Silvia Venturini Fendi, who will create the accessories and menswear collections for the Italian brand.

“My warmest welcome to Kim, to whom I am bound by deep respect and friendship. I am looking forward to taking the Fendi universe to the next level with him,” commented Venturini Fendi in a press release. 

Jones succeeds Karl Lagerfeld who designed womenswear for the brand for over 50 years before his death in 2019. The third generation of the Fendi family has overseen all of its namesake collections in the interim.

LVMH’s Chief Executive Bernard Arnault said of Jones’ new role: “Kim Jones is a great talent and since joining, he has continuously proven his ability to adapt to the codes and heritage of the LVMH houses while revisiting them with great modernity and audacity.

“At Fendi, I am convinced that his vision and passion will highly contribute to the success of the women’s collections.”

As well as heading up Dior Men’s, Jones also runs an eponymous label loved by the Beckhams. 

A Central Saint Martins alumni, Jones’ rise and rise began when John Galliano bought his entire graduate collection.

Prior to Dior, Jones worked at Louis Vuitton and Dunhill. He is credited as one of the designers to popularise the luxury street wear category and is famed for his unexpected collaborations for Dior, with labels like Stussy and Nike.